Here are some Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, December 22. Also, I headed over to the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington last night to see Newt Gingrich speak to about 200 or so supporters. If you’re interested, check out the video, in which Newt decries negative campaigning and “super PACs,” urges his opponents to abide by Ronald Reagan’s “11th Commandment,” and challenges Mitt Romney to a 90-minute, one-on-one debate “anytime, anywhere” in Iowa.

*Cantor cites ‘very narrow differences’ on payroll tax holiday (The only “differences” are that Can’tor, BONEr et al. lost control of the Tea Party wing of their party. Remember, Senate Republicans overwhelmingly voted for this bill last week. It’s not controversial at all, except to the Tea Partiers in the House.)